ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam
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| Unit Type | |
| Prototype Transformable Attack Mobile Weapon | |
| Profile | |
| Model Number |
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|---|---|
| Launched | October 2, 73 C.E. |
| Manufacturer | Integrated Design Bureau |
| Operator | |
| Known Pilots | |
| General Characteristics | |
| Overall Height | 17.80 meters (MS mode) |
| Empty Weight | 69.85 metric tons |
| Power-plant | Ultracompact Energy Battery |
| Accommodation | Pilot only, Cockpit in Chest |
| Armor | Variable Phase Shift armor |
| Armaments | |
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| Special Equipments and Features | |
The Gaia is a Mobile Suit in the series Gundam SEED Destiny.
Contents |
Combat Abilities
The Gaia is a transformable unit specializing in ground combat. In mobile suit mode, the Gaia is armed with a large beam rifle, a pair of beam sabers, and head-mounted CIWS. For ground combat, it can also transform into a quadrupedal mobile armor mode similar to the TMF/A-802 BuCUE. In this mode, the beam rifle is mounted on the right side and is supplemented by a pair of shoulder-mounted beam assault cannons and four CIWS. In addition, for close range combat in mobile armor mode, the Gaia has two back-mounted wings, which each mount a beam blade. For defense, the suit mounts a single MMI-RS1 mobile shield on its left arm.
The Gaia uses the operating system Generation Unrestricted Network Drive Assault Module.
Armaments
CIWS
Like most other mobile suits, the Gaia mounts two MMI-GAU25A 20mm CIWS guns in its head to shoot down incoming missiles or enemies at close range. Additionally, four MMI-GAU1717 12.5mm CIWS guns are mounted on the head of the quadrupedal mode, which however can only be used in mobile armor mode.
Beam sabers/Beam blades
Another feature similar to most other suits is the set of two MA-M941 "Vajra" beam sabers for close combat, which are mounted on the hips of the suit when not in use. Since the Gaia can't use these sabers in MA mode, it instead features two MR-Q17X "Griffon 2" beam blades, which are mounted on wings on the back of the suit. These blades allow the Gaia to quickly charge at an enemy and slice through it.
Beam guns
For ranged combat, the Gaia is equipped with a single MA-BAR71XE high-energy beam rifle. This rifle is not only used in mobile suit mode but also in MA configuration, in which it is mounted on the right side of the suit. Additional firepower is granted through two MA-81R beam assault cannons, which are mounted over the head in quadrupedal mode.
History
In late CE 73, ZAFT created a new series of advanced mobile suits to succeed their previous generation of Gundams, which were all lost in the previous war. One Gundam of this new Second Stage Series was the Gaia.
The Gaia was initially tested at Armory One by Riika Sheder, a defective Coordinator who could only see with artificial assistance. However, before ZAFT could bring it into active service, Stella Loussier of the Earth Alliance's 81st Independent Mobile Battalion (better known as Phantom Pain) stole the mobile suit and escaped with it to the battleship Girty Lue, where it was given the new model number RGX-03. The Girty Lue eventually fled from the colony while being pursued by the new ZAFT battleship Minerva. When reaching the Debris Bels, a battle broke out between the two ships, during which Stellar sortied in the Gaia to fight against the Shinn Asuka in his ZGMF-X56S Impulse and Lunamaria Hawke in her ZGMF-1000/A1 Gunner ZAKU Warrior. Some times later, Stella took part in the battle at the falling colony Junius Seven.
The Gaia was later transferred to Earth and operated from the carrier John Paul Jones. During its time on Earth, it again battled against the Minerva two times. During the second battle, Stella fought against Heine Westenfluss and his ZGMF-X2000 GOUF Ignited, whom she is able to defeat. Stella eventually launched a solo sortie against orders at the Lodonia laboratory facility. There, the Gaia was disabled by the ZGMF-X23S Saviour and Impulse, and Stella got captured. The Gaia was then recovered by the Minerva, and shipped back to PLANT after being repaired.
Later in the war, the Gaia was somehow acquired by the Clyne Faction, and cosmetically altered with a custom orange and yellow color scheme. The recolored Gaia was piloted by Andrew Waltfeld, who used the suit only once to defend the Eternal, when it is discovered by ZAFT.
A special ZAFT variant of the Gaia is the ZGMF-X56S/ζ Gaia Impulse, which is a modified version of the ZGMF-X56S Impulse with a new Leg Flyer, enabling the Impulse to emulate the function of the Gaia as a ground attack unit.
Trivia
According to the "Destiny IQ" section of the official Japanese Seed Destiny website, the Gaia in the hands of the Clyne Faction is indeed the original Gaia unit.
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